ADVOCACY
TNV provides an influential, respected, political voice for the Victorian independent theatre sector. Recent advocacy includes action surrounding the Arts funding review (state and federal), and National Cultural Policy and ABC funding.
Arts funding review
In December 2011 the Victorian Government announced it would be undertaking a review of triennial funding arrangements of 56 arts organisations in Victoria.
TNV has consulted and will continue to consult with the sector in order to provide a submission that accurately and effectively represents the interests and priorities of the sector.
Further reading:
Victorian Government’s media release about the review.
The Age article, “Funding review sparks concerns from arts groups”, Gina McColl, 20/12/2012
Arts funding delays
TNV worked with the Australian Industry Council (Victoria) and other peak bodies to call on the Victorian State Government to announce funding outcomes for several key arts organisations and programs. Towards the end of 2011, theatre companies contacted TNV concerned about delays in funding announcements – an impediment to planning and staffing for the year ahead. The AIC and TNV wrote to Premier Ted Baillieu urging an immediate resolution.
See the Arts Victoria website for more information.
Further reading:
- “Funding delays causing stage fright for the arts”, The Age, 09/12/2011
- “Alarm bells ring over funding”, The Herald Sun, 31/01/2012
- Arts Industry Council (Victoria) website
- The Australian Theatre Forum submission.
Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the ABC
TNV and other members of ArtsPeak (the confederation of peak national arts organisations) responded to the call for submissions by the Senate Standing Committees Inquiry into the ABC’s reduction of the number of ABC-produced programs.
The submission registered ArtsPeak’s “long-standing concern over the failure of the ABC to integrate arts reporting as part of national current affairs coverage across all platforms. Though the ABC does provide stand-alone artform specific programs, the paucity of arts coverage in the news demonstrates its failure to properly and effectively recognise that the arts are part of the everyday life experience and interest of the majority of Australians.”
Read the full report here.
National Cultural Policy
Theatre Network Victoria submitted a response to the National Cultural Policy consultation process in February 2010. TNV called for a commitment to a vibrant and financially secure small to medium performing arts sector, amongst other things. Read the full response here.
Minister Simon Crean published the National Cultural Policy discussion paper in 2011. TNV joined with the national ArtsPeak group in making a submission and, with that group, met with Minister Crean in August 2011 in Canberra, to discuss the industry’s priorities.
TNV also joined with the Arts Industry Council (Vic) to ensure that the Victorian arts sector’s voice is heard. We also ran a Victorian arts sector meeting to hear from the industry and to agree on the key points to feed back to the Department.
Sign up for the National Cultural Policy e-news for updates.
Past advocacy projects:
- Response to the early Garrett National Cultural Policy consultation (2010 consultation process)
- Joined national ArtsPeak on federal election campaign
- Joined Victorian Arts Peak and AICV on state election campaign
- Joined AICV on campaign for supporting small to medium arts in state budget.
Other ongoing advocacy:
- Meetings/submissions within the theatre sector and beyond to promote the importance of the small to medium performing arts sector
- Working with the Arts Industry Council (Vic) to strengthen the united voice of the arts in Victoria
- Discussions with colleagues across the country to look at different models of advocacy
- Consulting regularly within the theatre industry to identify issues and to help advance various causes.
Resources and Links:
Arts Industry Council Victoria is the independent voice for the arts. Its focus includes local, state and federal issues in Australia with a primary focus on state issues. AIC is funded solely by its membership.
YPAA’s Toolkit for Arts Advocates is a guide to more effective advocacy and lobbying for anyone working with young people in the arts.
Scroll down here for more arts organisations that conduct advocacy.
Find all TNV resources here.